Dreaming of a White (Elephant) Christmas!

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is the White Elephant Christmas party my friends throw every year! As you all know by now, I love a good party, and adding a silly surprise element only makes it better!

Speaking of silly surprises, check out this heavily beshoulderpadded top I found for $1 (just assume I only spend $1 on any of my pre fashions, okay?) at a fave thrift shop!

Blousey, no?

I like that pleating on the front of this top, and that blue hue is lovely, but the rest? Meh!

I started chopping away!

Begone pads!Farewell, weird fluffy shoulder thing and sleeves!

My new top was missing a button, but I wasn’t too worried about that. I wouldn’t be needing any of them pretty soon.

I’ll just save you guys for later!

Whew! All that chopping is fun, but it left me with a bunch of tacky raw edges to take care of!

Pin!Stitch!

Next, I took in each side by about 2″.

Whirrrr!

I cut off my excess material, and now I have a fabulous vest/tunic hybrid thing that I can wear over a dress or over a top and pants!

I opted for a dress and tights!

I accessorized with a funky pin, a skinny belt, and a pair of brogues!

13 thoughts on “Dreaming of a White (Elephant) Christmas!”

A white elephant party is where you bring the tackiest gift you can find. They all get put in a big ol’ pile and you can either choose a gift or to steal someone else’s gift. It can only be stolen 3 times though (depending on the host’s rules). We’ve also played it where you can open the gift and then decide if you want to keep it or steal another one (giving the one you just opened to that person). It all depends on the hosts rules.

You are just too cute! As a Grandmother, I’m allowed to say things like that, it’s part of our job description. I’m also allowed to say that you’re extremely creative and talented! I’m completely taken with your “work.” Blessings….Jill (AKA Grandmommo)

I LOVE a good white elephant gift swap!! Ours will take place at work next week and can’t wait!!! :) I’m liking your refashion also….however, you could make a trash bag look good…..lol :)
Blessings!!!!
Linda

Whoaley cow! That first picture is the best before picture I’ve ever seen here! You look kind of like the blueberry girl in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I love it! My daughters and I all love your refashions. You do a great job.

Hi! I ran across your blog while doing a google search and since you are such a great thrifter (love the way you made that hideous shirt into something very stylish!) I was wondering if you are familiar with an online “thrift” store called thredUP? Let me tell you just a little about them.

They buy consignment-quality kids’ and women’s clothing from people, then they hand select the best clothes and then post them onto their online store. ThredUP inspects the clothes and pays up to 40% of the resale value upfront. It’s an awesome site – you can buy or conveniently sell excellent-quality women’s and kids clothing. They’ve got everything from Gucci to Gap, J Crew to Justice and more and at up to 90% off retail prices! If you haven’t heard of thredUP I am giving you $10 off your first purchase with this link. I challenge you to find a great article of clothing for $10 or less. The first time I ordered from them I got a great Ann Taylor dress for just $9.99 so basically it was free! http://www.thredup.com/r/THTOMF

I hope you will give it a try! (P.s. I don’t work for thredUP!)
If you do give it a try please let me know how you made out.